"I don't really like filming people with headphones in. I actually refuse to film people who decide to wear headphones. Filming is a collaboration, it's doing and creating something together. If the skater is just kind of zoning you out or whatever it just doesn't make any sense."

"But when I had to choose my master’s thesis specific subject, I realized I knew nothing about sustainability, and I got scared I would be stuck with a subject that I wouldn’t be passionate about… so I decided to change subject to study the skateboard industry one week before the deadline."

For Nigel Hearson, “fitting in” found its true meaning when skateboarding became a part of his life. Now with skateboarding in his lifestyle, Nigel feels the need to give back to the skating community who welcomed him arms wide open. The 18 year-old is well aware his chances of making it to the pros are slim, but he decided to counterbalance that by working in the skateboarding industry. Two years ago, he started a small company named Dicer Apparel, selling t-shirts, hoodies, beanies and such apparel.

My faith in humanity is restored when I see young skaters invest time in projects meant to improve Montreal’s skateboarding scene. Félix Patry is one of those skaters. Only 17, the hype surrounding this kid has been trending up for a year and he’s been featured in Exposé Magazine, Concrete Wave and Concrete Skateboarding Magazine. On a day-to-day basis, he gives skateboarding classes to kids at le Taz skatepark, goes to school and works on Project 45.

Antony Cribier is a kid who rides with style and most importantly, for himself. He doesn’t ever seem like hewants to prove something to someone. Sponsored by KREW, Natifs skateboards and NDJ skateshop, he competed in the last AM Getting Paid and VANS Riot Shop editions. Cribier is one of those shy fellows whose name won’t stay on the low key for long.

Adam is someone who has skated every spot, witnessed every legendary story first hand, and has helped to support many people progress into who they are now from a young age. If I were to ever write a book about what skateboarding was like in Montreal the last 20 years, Adam would be the first person I would have help me.

I met up with 15-year-old, goofy-stanced Philipe Dulude at Taz skatepark, which is actually where I first saw him ride about a year ago. You can easily see he has that special something running in his veins. And it's extremely satisfying to know you are right about that when you ask the guy, “What hobby do you have apart from skateboarding?” and he genuinely answers, “Skate or die”.

"Skateboarding is one of those things with no boundaries, and you might as well take advantage of that. There is something really special that allows me to be creative at every spot, but I won’t reveal my secret yet."

Hugo Papillion is a skateboarder who really stands out in the Montreal community. He saw the lack of spots and quality parks and took initiative to create his own. The first DIY spot he ever made attracted out-of-towners to come film at his stolen concrete-slab bench. Now, Hugo runs his own building company that specializes in skateparks, hoping to put the quality back in the local community that’s become overrun by not-so-local companies. He has some really key points on the industry in Quebec, and its definitely worth your read.

The legalization of skateboarding in Peace Park has made a tremendous difference in liberating Montreal’s skate culture. The park is a big, open space surrounded by an unbelievable amount of perfect manual pads and ledges – putting Montreal street skating on a whole other level. Since the early days of skateboarding, it has been a place for people to meet up, hang out, and skate all day. Many locals know it as the heart and soul of skateboarding in Montreal.

One of the most recent projects on Visual Pollution was an exhibition called Escape Bored, where Wolfe and some of his homies redesigned old skateboards into sick pieces of art. Wolfe was able to get a diverse group of artists together to work on the boards so that each piece had its own unique style, like each board was its own little world.

David Boots is a ground breaking leader within Montreal skateboarding. He has been around since the early 90s and has revolutionized street art, skateboarding and social media throughout his years of experience. As you read this article, you will get his personal perspective on the amazing work he contributed to the skate scene.